New Delhi: Argentina captain Lionel Messi like always stayed true to his club and national affiliations. He picked his top three nominees for the 2024 Kopa Trophy last month. The 37-year-old voted his former Barcelona club duo of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi as his first two choices. He picked his Argentine teammate Alejandro Garnacho as his third-place pick for the award.
The 17-year-old Barca wonderkid Lamine Yamal made history as he became the youngest recipient to win the award. The Kopa Trophy is awarded to the best U-21 player in the world and the top youngsters from around the world receive nominations for the award. Former Ballon d’Or winners including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were meant to cast their votes to help decide the winner of the award.
Manchester United forward Garnacho is a huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo and he has even played alongside the Portuguese star at Old Trafford. The 20-year-old attacker had enjoyed a great individual 2023-24 season with the United, capping off with a goal for the Red Devils in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
Garnacho has also played alongside Messi this summer in the Copa America. The forward played just once for the Argentine side during the tournament as he found himself behind several players in La Albiceleste’s squad.
🗳️✨ OFFICIAL: Lionel Messi’s vote for Kopa Trophy:
1. Lamine Yamal
2. Pau Cubarsí
3. Alejandro Garnacho pic.twitter.com/OsyyxpYhJt
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) November 9, 2024
Lamine Yamal was the clear winner as he racked up 113 points, 87 more than the second-ranked Real Madrid’s Arda Guler. He played a central role for Spain at Euro 2024 and also earned the Young Player of the Tournament award.
Pau Cubarsi was in the fifth spot with eight points while Garnacho finished seventh with just three points. Just like Yamal, Cubarsi became a starter for Barcelona and made his senior debut in March 2024 for the Spanish national team. The defender also played a starring role for Spain as they won the Olympic Gold in Paris this summer.
Cristiano Ronaldo failed to cast vote – Reports
Cristiano Ronaldo refrained from casting the vote for the 2024 Kopa Trophy alongside a number of other Ballon d’Or winners. As per 433 post on ‘X’ Lionel Messi, Ronaldo Nazario, Karim Benzema, Kaka, Ronaldinho, and Luka Modric all voted for the award while other few failed to vote. Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo did not vote along with Zinedine Zidane, George Weach, Michel Platini and Roberto Baggio.
Former Ballon d’Or winners Denis Law, Kevin Keegan, Michel Platini, Roberto Baggio, George Weah, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo did 𝐍𝐎𝐓 vote for a Kopa Trophy winner. ❌
— 433 (@433) November 9, 2024
Lamine Yamal ended up with the most first-place votes and also became the third recipient of the award for Barcelona in four editions. The 17-year-old succeeded Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham in winning the award this year.
Leo Messi voted former club duo and Cristiano Ronaldo’s ex-teammate as his top pick for the award. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
